Monday, June 12, 2017

“Ahimsa is a Sanskrit word that has become quite popular in the West. But even in the East, where the term originates, very few people truly know it’s deepest meaning. What is ahimsa? People mechanically respond, ‘non-violence’. And the word becomes empty. While ‘non-violence’ is a potential translation, the concept behind this word goes far beyond this. Ahimsa means to not harm a single thing, in any conceivable way—to not harm yourself and, therefore, not harm anyone else, whether it’s on the physical, emotional or mental plane. Ultimately, ahimsa means to be congruent in thought, word and action.”

The
Buddha described his teaching as “going against the stream.” The
unflinching light of mindful awareness reveals the extent to which we
are tossed along in the stream of past conditioning and habit.